Design Concepts You’ll recall from the video that understanding as much as you can about thedesign principles used in the development of the skid steer loader will helpyou better understand why it operates as it does.

Optimum Tread Width to Wheelbase RatioTread width is the distance from thecenterline of the tires measured from one side of the loader to the other.

Wheelbase is the distance from the centerline of the tires measured from front to rear. The relationship between the twomeasurements is critical to skid steerperformance.

The optimum tread width to wheelbase ratio enables a properly designed skidsteer loader to turn without consuming excess engine power or adding to tirewear.

Weight Distribution and Rated Operating CapacityBalance is another important ingredient that must be added to the designrecipe for stability and turning capability. Bobcat engineers designed Bobcatskid steer loaders with unequal loading between the front and rear axles.

With no load on the bucket, about 70% of the machine’s weight is on the rearaxles while 30% is on the front axles. With most of the load on the rear axles,the machine easily pivots or turns on the rear wheels.

With a load in the bucket, this ratio reverses; most of the load is now on thefront axles. The front axles now become the pivot point for turning.

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30%

NO LOAD IN BUCKET

70% 70%

LOADED BUCKET

30%

TREAD WIDTH

WHEEL BASE

OPTIMUM WHEELBASE

Hydrostatic TransmissionThe drive system ofthe Bobcat skidsteer loader, andmost skid steer loaders on the market, is based on a hydrostatic transmission.

A hydrostatictransmission isbased ontransferring powerby means of a fluidrather thanmechanical meanslike gears andclutches. The mostimportant aspect ofhydrostatics, for you as an operator, is that every action has a precise reaction.The loader will react the moment you move the steering levers forward orrearward.

MaintenanceMaintenance is another important aspect of the design. Bobcat Companymakes every attempt to simplify the daily maintenance process by havingdaily checks and service items easy to get at.

As we all know, the easier something is to do, the more likely we are to do it.At Bobcat Company, we want to make maintenance as easy as possible,because a well maintained machine is important for safe and efficientoperation.

Operating Controls You will find that all of the operating controls for a skid steer loader areinside the cab, and that’s where they should be operated from. Never trystarting the loader while standing outside the cab, and never try operating anyof the hydraulic controls while standing outside the cab. THIS ISDANGEROUS.

Steering LeversThe steering levers or hand controls control forward and reverse travel andare also used to turn the loader. Use the control handle switches located ontop of the steering levers or hand controls to control the auxiliary hydraulicson your Bobcat loader. Your operation and maintenance manual explains howthe switches are used to control the various attachments that use the auxiliaryhydraulic system.

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DriveMotors

Pumps

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Know the rules of the road! As we said earlier, there may be times when youhave to travel on public roads.

Approach and go through intersections with extreme caution, and by all means,obey all traffic signs. Common sense will get you through most situations, but itis recommended that you check with the department of transportation for rulesand regulations on off-highway construction equipment.

Specially designed liftingkits are available from yourBobcat dealer for situationsthat require lifting the loaderfrom point A to point B.

If you have to transport theloader on a trailer, drive upthe ramp with the heavy endpointing uphill. Lower thebucket and rest the cuttingedge on the trailer bed.Secure the loader byinstalling tie downs at thefront and rear of the loader.

Working Efficiently This program has provided you with the knowledge to operate properly. Nowyou can begin to concentrate on operating with finesse, and you achieve thatthrough practical experience.

To load the bucket from a material pile, toe the lift pedal until the lift arms areall the way down. Toe the tilt pedal to put the cutting edge of the bucket onthe ground.

Never ram the bucket into material pile, drive slowly into the material.Remember, you get the greatest amount of power at the wheels with onlyminimal movement of the steering levers. Once you are into the pile, heelthe tilt pedal to raise the front of the bucket. Do not overload the bucket, andmake sure you are using the proper size bucket for the material you areloading. Overloading by putting a heavy material into an oversized bucketwill cause instability, and increases the chances for tipping the loader.

With the load in the bucket, and the bucket “up,” back away from the material. Always look in the direction you are traveling!

To empty the bucket, drive to the dump site, raise the lift arms and toe the tiltpedal until the bucket is empty. Never travel with a load obstructing yourview, keep those lift arms down. Back away from the dump site, heel the tiltpedal to raise the front of the bucket, and then lower the lift arms.

When dumping into a truck or a bin, drive forward slowly, raise the lift armsuntil the bucket is just over the truck or bin. Keep the load level while raisingthe bucket by toeing the tilt pedal. This prevents material from falling overthe back of the bucket. Dump the load by tilting the bucket fully forward.